KLASA ŚREDNIA A UKRYTE PAŃSTWO OPIEKUŃCZE

A discussion on the role of the middle class in Poland started with the fall of Communism at the turn of the 1990s and continues to this day. The weakness of the middle class is regarded as a significant obstacle in the modernization of the country. On the other hand, its consolidation is seen as the chance to stabilize a new political system and to continue the economic reforms initiated 20 years ago. Political elites generally agree on the necessity of creating a strong middle class, which is surprising in a highly polarized Polish society. Expectations for the emergence of a strong middle class are similar with longing for a prince charming who would shape the new social order according to the rules of democracy and a free market economy. It’s important to notice that what we describe as “middle class” is a mixed community of people placed in the middle part of the social ladder. Because of such a large differentiation of this social community, the question remains: Does it make sense to promote the middle class as whole? Was the political accord in this case just a part of election rhetoric rather than real action?